Memphis Drops Tight Game, Lose 1-0

The Redbirds' best pitching performance of the season was squandered Saturday night as Colorado Springs blanked Memphis 1-0 at Security Service Field.

Jason Pridie's 2-out single to center scored Paul Janish from third base for the game's only run. Janish led off the inning with a pinch-hit single off Sam Freeman (0-1). He advanced to second base on Ed Easley's passed ball. Tim Wheeler followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt moving Janish over to third base. With the infield and outfield drawn in tight, Freeman struck out Drew Garcia for the second out of the inning, but the former Minnesota Twin became the hero as he singled on a 1-2 pitch.

The loss wasted Scott McGregor's finest outing since joining the Redbirds during the 2013 season.

The former Memphis Tiger turned in seven scoreless innings, holding the Sky Sox to just two hits. McGregor fanned four and did not walk a batter.

 

Christian Bergman matched McGregor pitch for pitch as he blanked the 'Birds in five hits over eight innings. He walked just one and struck out three.

 

Nick Masset (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first win of the season.

 

Oscar Taveras' 16-game hitting streak was snapped Saturday as he was held hitless in four at-bats. He also had a six game RBI streak come to a close.

 

The loss drops the Redbirds below .500 (14-15) and three games behind front-running Nashville.

 

Boone Whiting (0-3, 4.55) gets the start Sunday afternoon for the 'Birds. He and McGregor are winless in a combined twelve starts. Colorado Springs will counter with left-hander Pedro Hernandez (1-0, 9.15).

The Redbirds and Sky Sox have split the first six games of their 8-game home-and-home series.